Bulletin July 21, 2013 16th
Sunday in Ordinary Time C
Genesis 18:1-10; Colossians 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42The three readings today have a unique similarity: they direct their attention to the question, ‘where do I look for God?’
It seems that Abraham was among the first people in the Bible to have seen God clearly. And why was this so…because he seemed to be always looking for God. Today he was sitting by the oak trees near Mamre, an ancient sacred place, enjoying his noon siesta. Three visitors appeared to him; he didn’t recognize them but proceeded to share hospitality. This was not the first time that Abram (now Abraham) had encountered God. In the 12th chapter of Genesis, the Lord told him to leave his father’s house and go to the land that He would show them because He was going to make of him a great nation and this when he was seventy-five. Then after a short time in Egypt, he went to the Negeb where he became “very rich in livestock, in silver and in gold”. The Lord led him to Mamre where in a vision He promised to make of Abraham a great nation. And Abraham wondered how this would be since his wife Sarah was old and childless. And in chapter 17, “When he was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared and said to him, ‘I am God almighty; walk before me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous.” It seems that in all these ‘events’ Abraham did not doubt that he was in the presence of God, he just knew. And because he recognized God, he also trusted him. And because of this familiarity
he wasn’t afraid to haggle with God over the details even when God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac. So in listening to the Abraham story I wonder how much I am even looking to see God in the events of my day.
Brother Lawrence, a 17th century French monk, learned to practice the presence of God at every moment in his life and his one desire was for spiritual union with God. He practiced love in all things and in each moment of each day; when he worked in the kitchen, his prayer echoes this, “Lord of all pots and pans and things…Make me a saint by getting meals and washing up the plates.” And he would say, “The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.”
Paul takes a different approach; he sees how tough life it is for him to live as Jesus. It seems that a combination of Jewish ritual practices and some unusual ideas and practices revolving around placating spirits has been threatening the church at Colossae. So what really is important? Paul shares that true Christian asceticism consists in conquering each one’s personal sins and practicing love of neighbor. He’s saying that if we know who Christ is then we know how we must live. Paul is writing this from prison saying that each person has to live through the sufferings of their own life, coupled with the example of Jesus’ suffering to keep us on the journey to heaven. It’s not about my unworthiness but God’s love for me and this awareness that keeps me open to seeing God.
Now the Martha, Mary story has a bad rap: people say, ‘well I’m just being Martha again’; keeping up with the household duties, someone has to do it. We have the doers and the dreamers…but both are showing ‘service.’ Mary is sitting at the feet of the master, the customary place of a disciple. Martha is totally involved and even overwhelmed with the responsibilities of hospitality. Jesus surprised visit is taxing, but both show me how to be alert to God’s presence: in listening to God’s word and in performing service. Also when Martha says that Mary is not where she belongs, helping her in the kitchen, the ‘female space’; Jesus shows the richness of His call to every person. Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus, only a disciple of a teacher could do this and only a man could be a disciple, the male place. Jesus has changed the boundaries, the priorities…it is all about God. Where is my need for God? God is present exactly where my need is? Am I aware of this? Do I realize that only this God who is crazy in love with me just the way that I am now and totally aware of exactly of what I need to live in His presence. I am ‘busy about many things’ is so true.
What am I to do to be aware of God? I
heard a lecture by a monk who offered an interesting challenge, “Life
is too complicated? You never have a moment for yourself? Then stop
doing half the things you do now and quit pretending that you are so
important!” Did that hit home!!!! Psychologists have said for
years that most Americans are thinking about the next thing that they
have to do while they are doing a task. Life then becomes a list of
tasks to get done instead of a series of events happening that could
make me somehow aware of this God who is crazy in love with me.
So I reflect on:- Did Mary realize that she was in the presence of the Son of
God?
- Did Martha realize that she was in the presence of the Son of
God?
- Jesus wants to have a close relationship with me and each
person. He wishes to be as intimate with me as the most intimacy I
share with the person closest to me. Am I open to this? Can I only
do this when I’m ready and not busy with all the busy things of my
life?
- I look at the most wonderful welcoming I’ve received
recently…it involved smiles…a hug…and love…it was God. Was
I thankful? Was I reluctant in returning love? Did this change me?
- The slogan for Motel 6 is, “We’ll leave the light on for
you.” Isn’t this God at every moment of my life?
Sacred Space 2013
concludes in this way, “Being able to give generously and receive
graciously are two sides of the same coin. I ask God to help me to
keep my life in balance: humbly asking, graciously receiving,
generously giving.”
“Jesus, we welcome you into our hearts. Abide with us and teach your presence so that we too can see Your glory and be raised to new life in You.”
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